Urban Search and Rescue Task Forces: Facts and Issues

Publication Date: January 2005

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Author(s):

Research Area: Social conditions

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Abstract:

Since the early 1990s, Urban Search and Rescue Task Forces have been certified, trained, and funded by the federal government. Twenty-eight task forces are located throughout the United States. When the President issues a major disaster declaration, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials may call out the task force (or forces) in closest proximity to the disaster to help locate and extricate victims from collapsed buildings and structures. The task forces represent a partnership involving federal, local government, and private sector experts. Over $100 million in federal funds have been provided in recent years to equip, train, and assist the task forces that are considered to be part of the federal emergency response network. This report provides basic information on the task forces, presents some issues that might be addressed by Congress, and will be updated as circumstances warrant.